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Information on Pet Microchips

February 24, 2011 By

What is a pet microchip and what can it do?

A pet microchip can be thought of as a permanent way of linking your pet back to you in event that you become separated. Pet microchips are very small in size (about the size of a grain of rice) and are inserted by a veterinarian.  The veterinarian inserts the microchip with a hypodermic needle, which will feel similar to the pain experienced when a pet receives an immunization shot.

Prior to shipping a chip to a veterinarian, the manufactures of pet microchips will program a distinctive ID number into the chip. When the vet receives a microchip, it is inserted between the shoulder blades of the pet. Prices for a microchip can vary according to which vet you chose, but are usually priced between $25 and $65. In addition to the cost of the procedure of inserting the microchip, there is also a minor fee to register the pet microchip.

In order for the microchip to work successfully the chip must register the microchip. Implanting a microchip only gives your pet an ID number which is useless if the ID number is not connected to an owner through contact information. After the microchip has been registered, the identification number featured on the microchip will match the owner’s name and contact information in the agency’s database. If your pet gets lost and is picked up by a shelter, they will use a scanner to read the identification number and get in touch with the registration agency that oversees that database. The registration agency will then contact and inform you that your lost pet has been found. Please note that it is important that if there are any updates to your contact information (i.e. new phone number, change of address, etc.), you should contact the registration agency immediately to ensure your contact information remains current.

You can register your pet’s microchip with the agency that made it or with another independent company. When registering, you will give the agency the ID number featured on the pet microchip, as well as your contact information (some people provide their veterinarian’s contact information instead). Upon completion of registration, the identification number featured on the microchip will match the owner’s name and contact information in the agency’s database.

Filed Under: Pet Safety

Allergies in Dogs

February 11, 2011 By

Before we go on to explain common dog allergies and their effects, it is crucial to define what an allergy is. Therefore: An allergy is a hypersensitive reaction to a specific allergen, or a substance capable of causing an allergy. Just like human allergies, dog allergies can range from mild to severe discomfort. Because of this it is important to pay attention to symptoms of allergies.

Common symptoms that your dog might have an allergy:

  • Scratching
  • Rash
  • Red bumps on skin
  • Fur loss
  • Hot spots
  • Biting or chewing skin (to relieve skin irritation)
  • Reoccurring ear infections

There are different types of allergens that can cause your dog to have an allergic reaction.

Parasites Allergy

Flea bite allergies are the most common allergen to affect (40% of) dogs.* There can be as many as 15 allergens in the saliva of a flea.* Because fleas feed repeatedly, your dog will continuously react by displaying the symptoms listed above. You can get rid of fleas by using a product like Advantage or Frontline that kills fleas that bite in combination with regularly vacuuming your home.

Atopy or Inhalant Allergies

Matter such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and mildew are common inhalants that bother humans as well as dogs. Some allergens (such as pollen) occur seasonally while others remain constant (dust mites), so it is important to pay attention to when the allergic reaction is occurring as a process of elimination.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are the third most common form of allergy. Common food allergies include chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish, dairy products, egg, corn, wheat, and soy.

Dr. Kathy Petrucci, DVM and owner of Sprinks says “One allergen is no more “unhealthy” than any other allergen, but may be a source of allergy in some animals.  The best way to determine a particular allergy is to do a food elimination trial.  If the source of the allergy can be determined, then a pet owner should not feed their pet that type of food, whether it is beef, chicken, corn, wheat or soy.”

Contact Allergies

Contact allergies are local skin reactions to topical substances such as a shampoo, an item of clothing, or a collar. Reactions occur quickly and can usually be traced back to the point of contact.  Contact allergies tend to be much less common than the allergies listed above.

What you should do if your pet has an allergy

  • Take your pet to the vet
  • Pay close attention to specific ingredients in food and treats
  • Dust and vacuum your house often
  • Use an oatmeal shampoo to soothe your pet’s skin while bathing
  • Regularly treat your pet for fleas
  • Use a hypoallergenic dog food or consider making your dog’s food
  • Consider using a dehumidifier to decrease the occurrence of mold in your house

*According to http://www.essortment.com/allergies-dogs-22377.html

Filed Under: Dog Health

Sprinks Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

February 9, 2011 By

Show Your Dog a Little Home Cooked Love This Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day coming up, why not show your dog how much you love them? And what better way to say “I love you Fido” than to make some mouthwatering, tasty treats? Sprinks has found some simple (yet delicious) recipes for dog treats that your pet is sure to love. Does your dog have a wheat allergy? Fret not, we are also featuring a wheat-free recipe as well to make sure that all pups are left satisfied…and full.




Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup mashed banana
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ
  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten, for brushing

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
  2. Stir together the egg, peanut butter, banana, and honey in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly. Stir in the flour and wheat germ; mix well. Turn dough out onto a floured board and roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter, place on prepared baking sheet, and brush tops with egg white.
  3. Bake biscuits in preheated oven until dried and golden brown, about 30 minutes, depending on size. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
  4. Let Fido enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com


Bacon Flavored Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 10 tablespoons bacon fat, melted
  • 5 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
  2. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in milk, water, salt, and bacon fat until well blended. Gradually stir in flour to make a stiff dough. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll into 2 inch balls. Place on prepared baking sheet.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on racks. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
  4. Let Fido enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com


Wheat-Free Tuna Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal or 1 1/4 cup corn flour
  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 small can of tuna in oil-undrained
  • 1/3 cup water

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
  2. Grind oatmeal in processor to make a coarse flour. Set aside in a small bowl.
  3. In a food processor, mix tuna with the oil and water. Add remaining ingredients.
  4. Pulse until mixture forms a ball. Knead on floured surface until mixture forms a soft ball of dough.
  5. Roll out to between 1/8 – 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes as desired.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Cool on racks.
  7. Let Fido enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of www.thepoop.com


Wheat-Free and Corn-Free Munchy Crunchy Meat Treats
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups rice flour
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 5 tsp. chicken or beef broth
  • 1 jar baby food meat (any flavour)
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease cookie sheet.
2.Combine all ingredients well.
3. Form into a ball and roll dough out on a floured surface.
4.  Cut out desired shapes.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Cool on racks (treats should be hard and crunchy).
6. Let Fido enjoy!


Recipe courtesy of www.homemadedogtreats.net
Filed Under: Love Your Pet